'We do not discriminate. We will make changes.'

The Gujarat government has finally reacted to Mirror’s exclusive cover story on how the state machinery was using a mandatory examination form to identify Muslim students. A day after ministers and government officials maintained stoic silence and party functionaries dissociated themselves from the issue, Education Minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama and Principal Secretary (Higher Education) Anju Sharma spoke to Mirror about the controversy.

Our report ‘Why is Gujarat govt asking Muslim students to identify their religion?’ (Nov 23) exposed how minority students who were filling up Board exam forms online were asked to specify if they were ‘Muslims’ or ‘Others’. Though the minister staunchly denied that students were being discriminated on the basis of religion, he assured Mirror that the government will look into the matter and make necessary changes.

Following are excerpts from the interview:

In the online forms for Class 10 and 12 Board exams, the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSHSEB) has asked students belonging to minority category if they are 'Muslims' or 'Others'. What is the purpose behind such a targeted classification?

Chudasama: Since the time we got independence, admission forms, school leaving certificates, and graduation certificates mention that Bhupendrasinh Chudasama is a Hindu Rajput or Mohan Joshi is a Brahmin. Since then, the only purpose behind this is to collect information. BJP believes in samrasta (harmony). Our intention is not to divide, but unite people. We, in the government, believe in taking everyone along with us on the road to progress. This is why we have the slogan: 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' (together with all, development for all). We have accomplished this through vani (language), vartan (behaviour) and vahivat (administration). I reiterate that it was not our motive to insult or commit injustice against anyone.

Was the decision to collect this data taken after deliberation?

Chudasama: The decision was taken in 2013. When it was taken, our motive was not the one you ascribe to us. Our motive was only to collect details as I mentioned earlier. The division (Hindus, Muslims, forward castes, Dalits) is all in media's mind, not ours.

Do you think this data can be misused?

Chudasama: No. I assure you of this fact. It will not be misused because it is not our intention to do so.

Will the form be changed, and the decision to gather such details be recalled?

Chudasama: We will discuss it with everyone so that you cannot, and do not, get to distort the fact. We will have to change it.

Have we ever thought that asking such questions would isolate Muslim students and have a negative impact on them?

Chudasama: From 2013 to 2018, nobody knew about this issue. This has been created by you.

Sir, a parent brought this discrimination to our notice and we verified the information before we wrote about this.

Chuda sam a : You should have asked us or got in touch with us before you wrote.

(As reported in our Nov 23 story 'Why is Gujarat govt asking Muslim students to identify their religion?', Mirror made several attempts to contact MoS Education (Primary & Higher Education) Vibhavari Dave, Education minister Bhupendra Chudasama as well as Deputy CM Minister Nitin Patel but they remained unavailable for comment.)

Why seek details of Muslim students?

Anju Sharma: Demographic data is collected for all examinations. Someone is making a far-fetched assumption. ' Arth ka anarth karne vaali baat hai' (It is a way of distorting facts).

If this were true, shouldn't details of other minorities be collected as well? After all, Gujarat is home to seven minorities.

Sharma: You are reading too much into the issue.

But what is the purpose of targeting only Muslim students? Gujarat has Jews, Jains, Christians and other minorities. Why is the government not collecting data of these students?

Chudasama: Why did no one approach you between 2013 and 2018? Why didn't the complainant approach you when the form in this format was launched (2013)? Did they experience discrimination? Not at all. If they did, why haven't they filed any written complaint? I will listen to them patiently and help them.

Sharma: The issue is being distorted.

Chudasama: We have never faced any issue because of this issue whether it is during regular admissions, praveshotsav or admitting students under Right To Education (RTE).

Sharma: This data is collected - be it through census, admission or examination forms. Such data is used to analyse trends. Reading too much into it and distorting it is...

There is still ambiguity about why details of only Muslim students was sought.

Sharma: You have raised this point, and the minister will look into it. The fact of the matter is that this has been the norm. There is no specific intention as has been reported.

Chudasama: There is no complaint on larger scale.

Sharma: There is not a single complaint.

Chudasama: You are doing harm by writing about it in this manner based on one complaint.

This is making an issue out of nothing.

Sharma: This data is available with organisations.

If you already have access to the data, why ask students?

Sharma: (Silence)

Chudasama: (Silence)

You have raised this point, and the minister will look into it. The fact of the matter is that this has been the norm. There is no specific intention as has been reported

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